Tongan star Maka faces anxious wait

Former Tongan and Toulouse rugby star Finau Maka could face a 2,000 euro fine if the court of appeal judges hearing a case brought against him by a Tunisian handyman accept the recommendation of the prosecutor on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old is accused by Moncef Derbali - who is not legally allowed to work in France as he does not have the required papers - to have made him work and live in inhuman conditions.

Maka, who was aided by former Toulouse and France hooker William Servat team-mate who testified on his behalf, had seen the intitial case against him dismissed in 2010 because the judges felt that the charges hadn't been proved.

Maka, who starred for Tonga at the 2007 World Cup and again last year when the Tongans claimed a famous win in the pool stage over France, is accused by 46-year-old Derbali of making him work on the black for four years in his villa near Toulouse and to have paid him just 1,260 euros.

Maka sent the money to Derbali's mother in Tunisia.

Derbali claims that Maka made him live in undesirable housing and had his passport confiscated.

The state prosecutor in his summing up said that Derbali was reduced to a submissive state because of his 'vulnerability and his dependency (on Maka),' and sheltered in a 'lodging not compatible with human dignity'.

AFP